Our World
Has Changed
Navigate the impact of Covid-19 by learning about how the spaces where you spend your time impact your health and well-being.
We Spend up to 90% of Our Lives Indoors
24% of the Burden of Disease can be Attributed to Environmental Factors
Source: World Health Organization
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Important Disclaimer – Please Read
The content on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve, and should not be used, as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you are experiencing covid-19 symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
How can our buildings enhance our health and well-being?
We spend over 90% of our time indoors, which means that everything inside of a space matters. Much of what influences our health and well-being is based on the physical and social environments that we live and work in — that means both the built environment, like how a space is designed, as well as people’s income levels and living conditions. Our health is also determined by how we behave — such as how active we are, whether we smoke, and what we eat each day — and the design of our physical environment has a significant impact on many of these health-related behaviors. The materials we touch, the light we see, the air we breathe and the water we drink all have immediate and long-term impacts on our health and wellness. This means that our homes, offices, schools and other indoor environments can serve as powerful vehicles for improved well-being.
How can our buildings help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and other viruses?
Based on research and analysis so far, there may be three primary transmission pathways for Covid-19; fomite transmission via shared surfaces, droplet transmission from close human to human contact and airborne transmission. In order to address today’s most pressing public health challenge, it is necessary to have a focused approach grounded in science and help address these three main routes of transmission.
What are some of the main considerations for when our offices, schools and other shared spaces reopen?
Before people enter a building, proper cleaning protocols and measures to identify those who may be sick, such as through temperature screening or symptom self-checks, should be implemented. Once inside, it’s important to minimize close contact between building occupants, such as by limiting capacity and developing traffic patterns. It is also important to evaluate and consider technology recommendations such as enhanced air filtration, along with policy recommendations such as phased return, different start times, alternating different workers at different days, and more. Furthermore, lower capacity may help people feel more comfortable and safer psychologically. If people are not well-prepared mentally, meaning they do not feel well-informed about the steps that have been taken to protect them or they are constantly worried about their safety, they may be unlikely to return. So communications strategies, such as science-based education and information sharing, are critical, as are implementing actual policies.
What should I be doing within my own home, office, school or other indoor environment in response to Covid-19?
Everyone has a role to play in the fight against Covid-19. From supporting your immune system to staying home when you feel sick to following proper disinfecting protocols and wearing face coverings, your individual actions support a collective response that will be critical to our recovery and our resilience to future outbreaks. Understanding the relationship between you and your surroundings has become of utmost importance and this increased awareness will help us all live healthier going forward.
Where can I find the latest information on healthy buildings and the role they play in health and disease?
Delos’ expert team of scientists is working continuously to analyze the research around Covid-19 as it evolves. We are continuing to compile up-to-date, actionable insights to help maintain your health and well-being during these uncertain times, so continue to check back here. You can also find additional information about this and other health and disease topics at the links below.
Get the latest public health information from the CDC
Get the latest research information from NIH
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